Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Its such a small world. I vaguely remember the days at the Waterfront festival, the outings with the TPD guys and a few classes together. Its been so long, yet I remember the painfulness of hearing of your death from E.L. and seeing the news on TV. I was pissed, along with everyone who worked with you, when the coward finally got caught after lying about the shooting to his own family and playing the race card and media games. Almost a year later I ran into a records tech from DMPD riding an antique fire truck around on Whidbey. Somehow we got to talking and she mentioned your wife. I perked up and ran to get my wife and introduce them. She told us of the fund to help out and got us a memorial bear with your info on it. I explained the case and your personallity to my wife over a few beers on the deck. I wish you could have been there, it was beautiful. But, then again, you were. The bear sits over my HD motor in the garage now. I see it and think of you every time I leave and come home from shift. I think of the courage and fun of working the street and the lessons of officer safety we try to hang onto at every call. I just had my first child, a boy, and I can't imagine life without him. When he's old enough I'll tell him about whom the bear represents and why it's so special and tragic when an LEO makes the ultimate sacrafice. Recently the long-named AH found a new legal tweak to try and escape his accountability again. I remember your crew and their sadness often and I hope the wounds aren't deepend. You were the first KIA that I had known personally and that was our age. Rest in Peace brother. When I see you again we'll have that beer on the deck.

Romans 13:1-5

FF/EMT
TFD-EFD/WSM

February 10, 2005

Steve, I helped put up blue Christmas lights at your house last year. I had a chance to meet your wife and child. I watched your son play on his toy police car as I stood in your kitchen. I didn't make it this year and I'm sorry. We still drive by your house frequently and make sure everything is "o.k." Others may forget, but I won't.

KCSO

January 22, 2005

Rest in Peace, Brother. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Watch over your family and give them strength to forge ahead together.

A Squad
Woodbridge CT PD

January 19, 2005

Dear Officer Underwood:
You have paid the ultimate sacrifice for which we are all greatful. Hero's like you keep us all safe. May God bless you and keep you close always. You will forever remain in my prayers.
Thank you Steven, thank you!

Councilman Robert Van Name
City Of Doral, Florida

January 16, 2005

My prayers go out to the family, Friends, and co-workers of Officer Underwood. I'm sure it is somewhat of a relief knowing the suspect will not be able to change his plea, I know I was when I saw the story. I'm glad this wasn't drug on any further for you. Stay strong guys, we know your pain, and we are with you.

Steve, thank for your years of protection. Your courage, bravery, service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

You are a hero to more than you know.™

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersherrif Matthew J. Lane, EOW 5/30/03

January 6, 2005

Well steve, I still see your goofy grin. I miss you my brother. Don't worry about the plea deal the P.O.S. got scared again and backed out. I can only hope he will stop stealing air from the people who deserve it very soon.

officer
in washington

January 4, 2005

For some crazy reason I decided to come to this site, I say crazy because I always cry as I read these reflections left by those left behind. I never knew Officer Underwood, but he has a special place in my heart,I still have his memorial program hanging up inside my hall closet. When I see the family picture, I say a prayer. I pray that God heals the wounds that were carelessly inflicted and that His peace will be with those Officer Underwood loved.
To all those of you who suite up and sign in to keep me and so many others safe, Thank You. Please know that some of us keep you in our prayers and pray for your safety and soul everytime we see your flashing lights speed by. You are loved and appreciated though we don't know your name.
Courtney L. Shelly
Washington

December 22, 2004

I have been reading other reflections left on this page for Officer Underwood. I am a Des Moines resident and I too remember the moment I heard the news. I remember going several times that week to the ever growing memorial on Pacific Highway. How moving and emotional it was. It made me realize that I was not the only one who found a new appreciation for the Police and what they do for us. I see that they have paved the spot where this crime occured and have wondered why we could not put some sort of memorial there? A plaque? Similar to the memorial on the Swift Albro exit where another officer was shot. I am moved to see how many of the DM Police have left reflections. The hurt runs deep and always will I am sure. Thanks guys for all you do to protect us!!!!

December 12, 2004

I was just reading the article about your killer escaping the death penalty. Why does he get a second chance? My deepest sympathies to the Underwood family and the Des Moines Police Department. A great injustice has occurred. Rest in peace my brother we now have the watch.

PO Schrade
Dept of Veterans Affairs Police - NY

November 27, 2004

I'm sorry your cold-blooded killer
escaped the death penalty. He
certainly deserved it. You weren't
given a second chance so why
should he be allowed to live? A
grave injustice has occurred. It
sure sends the wrong message in
my opinion.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

November 25, 2004

I just read of the plea bargain and went looking for this entry... I am deeply saddened tonight, for what happened now and for what happened then. My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the department.

May God bless and keep you all, now and forever.

Mike Ryan
State University of New York Police
Brockport, NY

Ptl. Michael Ryan
SUNY PD Brockport

November 24, 2004

Steve - miss ya buddy. They paved over the site recently, but we remember.

October 19, 2004

I never had the chance to meet you, but from what I have heard Tim, Lew, Cathy, Andrew, Shawn, and Mark say, you were a wonderful person. They miss you very much.

August 3, 2004

Officer Underwood.
Thank you for your sacrifice fallen hero. God has you now. We have your memory. Peace be with you.
Matt Norem

Matt Norem
Des Moines resident

July 17, 2004

Someday we will have to just walk away. And there will be a park with a marble monument, with names that slowly stop seeming like real people. They will name a junior high school after somebody, but soon enough it will just be us. We will be the only ones who remember. That's what we can to honor the people we loved and lost. We can be the ones that remember....

Officer Underwood, you are and will not be forgotten. I promise.

Anonymous

April 29, 2004

Steve- we gathered again yesterday in the early morning to remember that moment three years ago that you left us. Dozens made the journey to honor your sacrifice- at exactly 1:20am we stood, together, and were immersed with the anger, the grief, the loss, the pain, the respect, the gratitude, and the cherished memories that surround the reality of your impact in life. Later, as I returned to the scene, a brief moment of quiet reflection was interrupted by a fail to yield that screamed past at Mach 10. And so it continues- how appropriate, for you left while living your dream. Every day, we pass that spot on the Line- Every day, you're still right in it as you go go with us after the next bad guy. The pure rage and righteous anger is at times, overwhelming, as that scene plays over and over. The tones, the Code 3, the last radio call... Sadness inevitably follows, but life is life, and we all go when our time is up- It is for us to carry on the fight, to honor you with our service and actions, to allow you to inspire us to greater heights in our families, our community, our Department, and in life. And so we do, and so it is- Gone, but not forgotten.

A Brother in Blue
Des Moines Police Department

March 8, 2004

I am a patrol supervisor at Radford City Police Department. Each night we dedicate the watch to a fallen brother or sister. Today we are dedicating the watch to Officer Steven J. Underwood who was killed in the line of duty 3 years ago today. Officer Underwood, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Today we honor your legacy and sacrifice.

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because tough men and women stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” - Steve Robinson, Seal Team One, 1971-1973

First Sergeant J.L. Slaughter
Radford City Department of Police

March 7, 2004

Officer Underwood-

I was 15 when I heard the news 3 years ago. I never knew you, or never lived in your city. In the months prior I had just found my interest in Law Enforcement. I rode with TPD a few times and saw Pacific Hwy S. All I knew about DMPD is they shared the same freq. I made friends with different officers from different depts, I looked up to them. On March 7th 2001, it felt like a family member died to me. Even though I never met you, it hurt. I watched the news coverage, and read articles online about you. I will never forget your Chief's words at your service "You lived your dream." I Hope someday I can live my dream, and become an officer and have a beautiful family just like you have. A wife and child, and thousands of brothers and sisters.

You will never be forgotten.


---

"Another night slips away,
In other words I should say,
There are no words, he should say
There are no words,

In his eyes, I see the fear
That only time could disapear
If only time could re-appear nows the time

Something to take it away, take it away, take it, don't let it stay."

Anonymous

March 7, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Officer Underwood.

Another Officer killed leaving behind a small child. We pray it never happens again..

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

February 29, 2004

I will never forget waking up that morning in March and hearing the news that a Des Moines officer had been shot. It was a few hours later that I found out that it was Steve. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but his memory lives on. Two family friends of mine are both chaplains for the Des Moines PD. A friend of mine works with his mom at the Seattle PD. Another friend from the Port of Seattle PD had met him just a few months earlier. And yet another friend worked alongside Steve at Des Moines and was out-of-state when the shooting happened. I also had the opportunity to meet four other officers from Des Moines and I can tell that they still miss Steve very much.

You will not be forgotten.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

February 15, 2004

Remember when you asked me to move in with you? We had both just left our girlfriends and money was going to be tight, I thought it was a great idea. You said the room was small but we'd have a nice new weight bench in the front room and could workout together. I went to go look at my new room before giving you the final OK.... As I walked into your house you said again" the room is small but look the new weight bench in the front room" Yep, there it was...nice big weight bench, the only problem was my room was no bigger than a walk-in closet. I laughed, you laughed but I just couldn't sleep in your closet.
Now I wished I had!
I'm not sure how much time passed after that before you met the love of your life Rosathe. Sometimes we’d meet up at the station and you would say “ Hey man, you’ve got to meet my new girl. Bring your girl and we can all go out sometime.” For whatever reason we never did all go out together.
Now I wished I had!

There are times as I reach into my pocket to get my pack of cigarettes I can hear ...."Hey man, let me get one of those from you". Any time my friend, anytime!

Steve, I miss you…I tell our stories a lot… You’ve made me a better person!

9002

Anonymous

January 22, 2004

Steve- I miss you, we miss you, we love you. It will be three years soon, and still there is no closure to bring you peace and justice. The dull ache remains, knawing at the pain that still lingers. Your departure has shown us the best and worst that humankind can offer- an ultimate sacrifice for others, and the ultimate wrong-- a depravation of right to live a free life. You are free now, forever. Peace be with you.

An Officer
DMPD

December 23, 2003

I can’t believe it has been 2 1/2 years already. Seems like just yesterday that I got that call at 0230. "Steve’s been a victim of a shooting", the Det told me. I wish I would have been there as your second. Maybe I could have done something, maybe not. I held it together pretty well for the next few days, then for some stupid reason, I was watching the news. I heard 6D screaming "CODE 3!" over and over. I don't know what it is about the radio traffic, but that was it. I completely lost it.

We did get one more chance to ride with you...a week later, when we took the streets back, every unit working logged in with you as our partner, I still have the UR from that night. I know that you are watching over us now, and find some comfort in that. Every time I pull up as a second on a call, I see that sticker on the back of the patrol car in front of me, and it reminds me that no call is routine.

Every year, the boys from B Team head back to DC for LEO Memorial Week. We sit in front of your name on the wall and tell old war stories. I'll tell you some new stories when I see you again.

We will never forget you, buddy.

#9810
DMPD

September 18, 2003

Steve,

I knew you only briefly, for those months we spent at the academy together. It all seemed so innocent then, brothers and sisters who had been selected to wear the badge together in a classroom learning what it takes to be an officer. Yes, they told us we may very well be in the presence of someone who will someday give his or her life in the line of duty. I guess I knew deep down it was true, but it somehow felt such a remote possibility then. Surely it wouldn't happen to us, we were just kids learning the rules so we could go play cops and robbers.

Steve, yesterday you were this cool guy with a great sense of humor I went to class with and hung out with on lunch breaks. Today you are a martyr and you are my hero.

Officer C.Gleason
Everett PD

On this Easter Sunday we celebrate the conqueror of death, our Lord and savior Jesus. Though our body dies our soul and spirit are with him. He is the giver of Eternal life. That is our hope. So when we face the unknown we have comfort knowing that he is in control. May the family and friends of Steve receive comfort in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago (Titus - Chapter 1:2)

Officer Pamela Garland
Evergreen Police